New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Infinity Campus of Skyroot Aerospace, an integrated rocket manufacturing and testing facility capable of churning out one orbital launch vehicle every month. PM Modi said, “In India’s space ecosystem today, the private sector is taking off in a big way. Skyroot’s Infinity Campus is a reflection of India’s new thinking, innovation, and most importantly, youth power. The innovation, risk-taking ability, and entrepreneurship of our youth is reaching lofty heights. Today’s event is an indication of the fact that in the coming times India will be a leader in the global satellite launch ecosystem.”
Illustration of the Vikram I in space. (Image Credit: Skyroot Aerospace).
The event also saw the unveiling of flight-ready Vikram I. The two stage to orbit rocket is as tall as a seven storeyed building, and is capable of injecting multiple satellites precisely into the intended orbits. The carbon composite rocket is made up of durable and lightweight materials, that increases the payload capacity compared to steel casings. The Kalam-1200 booster stage is the largest privately manufactured rocket stage in the country. The liquid engines have been realised through additive manufacturing.
Vikram I to launch in Feb 2025
Cofounder of Skyroot Aerospace, Pawan Kumar Chandana said, “Today we are ready with Vikram I, India’s first private commercial rocket, fully designed and built in India. And with the help of IN-SPACe and ISRO, we plan to launch it in the next two months. With Vikram I, India will join the top three nations where a private company can launch a satellite into orbit.” The Infinity Campus is the second rocket manufacturing facility to be operated by Skyroot, in addition to its headquarters called Max-Q. The facility has the capacity to produce one orbital launch vehicle every month. Skyroot Aerospace is aiming to launch the first orbital flight of the Vikram I rocket in February 2025.